21. August 2023 · Comments Off on Poison Creek Trail – TR-134 (How last falls fire changed it) · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

This picture is of the bridge that once crossed Pole Creek, now it is just three charged logs.

To see pictures from the project CLICK HERE

 

11. August 2023 · Comments Off on Trail Volunteer – Making a difference – TVTMA · Categories: Trail Volunteer Groups, Work Parties and Projects

Several TVTMA members worked this project had been certified at the Thinking Sawyer Workshops lead by BCHI. This trail with its many boggy spots has been a notorious horse-swallower I’ve heard, not too good for bikes either. More areas to do since conditions have changed since the 2017 scoping finally implemented, but I think horse use is going to be much less risky now with the replacement and new puncheon at 7 sites.

Notably, the upper 3 miles of the trail above Whitehawk meadow that was impassible, blown-in for several years with endless deadfall, is now open at the hands of a number of your new or recertified students.

Your efforts are now multiplied in a measurable return to the users. Lots of folks are pretty pleased about this outcome and are looking at it is a template for future projects and partnering with FS to improve recreational access.

One of the details, left out for brevity, is that the northern-most portion of Tr019 –about 2.5 miles, had been inaccessible due to extensive deadfall for an unknown number of years. From its intersection with Tr021 at Whitehawk Basin to road 510, that trail is now cleared of deadfall, with new puncheons installed at planned sites, and now usable by all single-track users after years of being effectively “closed-and-stored” by nature.  That’s worth celebrating.

Granted there’s more to do on other parts of the trail not covered by the original project scope, conditions having evolved since the original proposal (2017?) of the project now implemented. So we’ll look forward to working with the Forest and Lowman RD on continuing improvements along this popular trail and its interconnects. My understanding is that Mike Lindenfelser is working on trailhead sign replacements, and that will be an ongoing task to put a bow on this current effort.

JT Wagner and his crew of two seasonal and two interns should also be noted for their significant contribution to the timely and quality completion of the project. Their contribution was a force-multiplier and expediting factor, which we were not originally counting on when anticipating a three-weekend work plan.


06. August 2023 · Comments Off on Making West Mountain Memories – August 19 & 20, 2023 · Categories: Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

Pictures from the 2023 Project

Trail Project – Saturday & Sunday August 19-20, 2023 ( Trail Project & Horse Camping)
Location: Chief Eagle Eye Creek (west mountain north), & Poison Creek West Mountain, North of Ola, ID
GPS    USFS[131]     USFS[134]    MAP  Pictures  2021    SC-2020   PC-2020 
Work will concentrate on Poison Creek Trail – which needs extensive brushing)
Great horse camping area with some fun but challenging trails.  Most people arrive at the camp site on Friday night.
Potluck meals Breakfast (Sat & Sun), Dinner (Sat) – Bring lunches, We will be working on Saturday with a short fun ride on Sunday!
Contact: Rob Adams 208-781-0548 projects@sbbchidaho.org

SIGN UP: https://www.supersaas.com/schedule/sbbchidaho/Squaw_Butte_Events

27. June 2023 · Comments Off on Pettit Lake SRA – Tin Cup Trailhead Corral Project · Categories: Around The Campfire, Public Lands, Trail Volunteer Groups, Work Parties and Projects

Link to more pictures of this event

27. June 2023 · Comments Off on Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation – Sulphur Creek Pack Support · Categories: Around The Campfire, Trail Volunteer Groups, Work Parties and Projects


Link to pictures of this event

18. June 2023 · Comments Off on ITA – Pack-In & Out PNF Blackmare Lake · Categories: Trail Volunteer Groups, Work Parties and Projects

A short update on the Idaho Trails Association South Blackmare Trail trip June 11-17

We had a good trip last week. Due to imclimate weather we had a few mid afternoon stops earlier in the week, but ended the week with some nicer weather. We worked mainly on Trail 302, but also did some logging and brushing along Trail 100 as we went in and out to better accommodate stock. The 8 participants removed approximately 379 trees from the trails – either cut out or moved, as well as performed brushing along the majority of the approximately 1.6+ miles of trail 302 we were able to cover. We also did tread work in a number of areas.

More details and stats to come, but I wanted to give you an overview. The attached KMZ has the trail from near where we camped (perhaps the southside of Blackmare creek) to where we turned around. Work was also done from camp up to the junction with Trail 100.

Please let us know if you have any questions we can address in our more detailed report.

Kirsten Severud
ITA Crew Leader


I packed them in and snapped just a couple photos bc it was raining much of the ride.  I will send more pics of the work the crew got done (about 2 miles past where Blackmare and SF Blackmare split) over the week when I get them. This was truly a “lost trails found” effort, as the trail was almost entirely overgrown and even required scouting to find it, and some tread reestablishment. A good effort by the crew and one more hitch would probably be enough to get to the lake but we won’t get to it until next year.

The first mile or so is the most exposed trail- like Jeff said, steep granite slopes. The rest is mellower.

Melanie Vining, Executive Director Idaho Trails Association

So yesterday was the ITA pack out from Blackmare lake in the south fork of the salmon. The trip went well, weather forecast was sunny and 70 degrees. The high I saw was was 59 and rain most of the trip. The trail was in great shape though the elevation gain and loss was about 2000 feet and most of the 4.5 miles in you are hanging on granite outcroppings that are sticking out of 70 degree side slopes of sand. The crew of six people made for big loads on 3 mules. Everything went well and got to spend the day in a beautiful canyon on horseback.  Jeff Halligan  BCHI


06. April 2023 · Comments Off on Upcoming Project – Tin Cup Trail Head Upgrade · Categories: Around The Campfire, Trail Volunteer Groups, Work Parties and Projects

Trail Head Project – Pettit Lake – Stanley Basin Saturday & Sunday June 24-25, 2023
The Tin Cup Corrals Project is being lead by the USFS and involves multiple volunteer groups
with the plan to upgrade this trail head for horse camping and stock use.
Prime access to the Sawtooth’s.
More information about the project comming soon!
Past Pictures  2022    2019 
Contact: Lisa Griffith  208-571-1054  projects@sbbchidaho.org

Getting ready for the project:  (GRANT)

Dear Lisa,

I am pleased to inform you that the Sawtooth National Recreation Area License Plate Fund (Goat Plate Program) grant application that you submitted for 4Q2022  was approved. These funds are specifically dedicated for the construction and installation of two new corrals adjacent to the Tin Cup Trailhead in the SNRA.  Please send your invoice to Kathryn Grohusky, Executive Director, at P.O. Box 820, Hailey, ID 83333 or to Kathryn@sawtoothsociety.org, and she will mail the check to you directly.

Just a reminder that at six months or midway through the grant (whichever is sooner) following award of your grant, you will submit an email status report. It should be emailed to the Society at grants@sawtoothsociety.org. The report should describe briefly what has been accomplished and how much grant money has been spent, and it should advise of the estimated completion date for the project.

Also, upon completion of the project, you will email a status report to the Society. The report should describe what was accomplished and how much grant money was spent (including copies of paid invoices), and it should indicate what, if any, financial assistance was received from other funding sources. Absent Society written approval otherwise, unused grant monies shall be returned at this time. Additionally, we would appreciate knowing how the Society was recognized.

The Sawtooth Society is pleased to partner with the Sawtooth Ski Club in helping to serve recreationists in the SNRA. Thank you for submitting the grant application and for working with the Sawtooth Society to preserve, protect, and enhance the SNRA.

Again, congratulations and all best regards,

Debra LaMorte, Chair, Sawtooth Society LPF Grants Committee

Purchasing Material  & start Fabrication

Bart Baer building gates

10. September 2022 · Comments Off on ITA – The Old Saw – Fall 2022 · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects


SEE MORE PICTURES

11. July 2022 · Comments Off on Sulphur Creek Pack Support – SBFC · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

Join us on this pack support project!

11. July 2022 · Comments Off on Who are these people and where are they? · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects


The Answer

13. September 2021 · Comments Off on Wilderness Volunteer – Imogene Project · Categories: Around The Campfire, Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

SEE MORE PICTURES FROM WV     /       PACK SUPPORT PICTURES

03. August 2021 · Comments Off on Montana Conservation Corp – Twenty Mile Creek Pack-In · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects


HISTORY
The Montana Conservation Corps grew out of great ideas, great people, and a great legacy. Stories of men joining and serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression can be heard at coffee counters across Montana. Tales of their accomplishments to improve the landscape – including the development of Montana’s first state park at the Lewis and Clark Caverns – and the spirit of the young people who joined are numerous and verging on mythical, in the best tradition of Montana.

In 1990, Human Resource Development Council agencies from Billings, Bozeman, and Kalispell established the Montana Conservation Corps. Our first Executive Director, Steve Nelsen, tells of starting MCC with nothing but a desk, a phone, and a box of Kleenex.

The first MCC crews were fielded in the summer of 1991 through the cooperation of the HRDC and sponsoring agencies such as the City of Billings, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service. In 1993, MCC successfully obtained AmeriCorps funding, which doubled the budget and established regional offices.

Now MCC has a multimillion-dollar budget and has matured into a leader in the national corps movement. We are proud of our humble roots and thankful for all those that have contributed to the development of MCC over the years. To all of our alumni, staff, board volunteers, and community champions—thank you for being a part of the Montana Conservation Corps.

https://www.mtcorps.org/

In Mid-July, Adam Larson PNF Trails Supervisor contacted Squaw Butte and ask if they would consider doing a drop camp for an MCC crew working on the Twenty Mile Creek trail near upper Payette Lake.  The pack-in date would be August 3rd and pack-out on August 24.  This crew of 6 would be working from this base camp for two weeks so need quite a bit of food and had over 90 pounds of hand tools and a chainsaw and support gear.  Rob Adams and Phil Ryan met MCC crew Leads Eve Hickey and Dylan Barker and the rest of the team at the Twenty Mile trail head on Tuesday morning at 07:30.  The five pack stock were saddled and once the gear was unloaded from their truck, a quick briefing on load building was followed by the MCC crew helping build and hang loads.  The biggest challenge was the large pile of hand tools including sledgehammers, picks, Pulaski’s and a rock bar they would need.  The tools were distributed between two canvas mantie that once lashed up weighted in at 46 and 47 pounds and were basket hitched to one of Rob pack horses.

By 08:30 everything was loaded and Rob and Phil were heading down the trail for a bit over 6 miles to a meadow that was their planned camp site.  We made good time averaging a bit over 3 mph and were at the camp site by 10:30 and had the stock unloaded and were heading back to the trail head by 11:00.

The site we left the gear is going to be a great camp with dry, level ground for their tents, easy access to water and two nice pools for a dip after a hard day of trail work.  While on the trail we met three dirt bike rider, two back packers that had been camping up at the Twenty Mile Lakes and two couples and a toddler in a back pack.

See planned work PDF: MCC 2021 Twenty Mile Projects

More pictures

21. July 2021 · Comments Off on Trail Project – Twenty Mile Creek Lake – McCall · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Lat: 45.133938 Lon: -116.010818

Tuesday July 20, 2021 dawned cool and damp at the Twenty Mile Creek trail head, the rain from the day before had cooled the air as well as the 5,819 foot altitude. Phil Ryan and Rob Adams had driven up the night before to work on a project on the Twenty Miles lake Trail. They were joined by Shelly Duff and Lisa Griffith who were on vacation and camped near the trailhead.  Phil and Rob were on the trail be 08:45 and made good time on the Twenty Mile Creek trail which was in excellent shape.  Once they turned on to the Lakes trail they started encountering heavy brush and down fall.


Before

After

Around 10:00 it started to mist, which felt pretty good as we had now soaked our shirts with sweat cutting out down trees and nipping brush. The brush was also wet so the rain made little difference in how wet we became. Lisa and Shelly who left the trail head after us, caught up and took over brushing allowing Phil and I to push on concentrating on down trees.


We reached the first lake by 13:30, it was raining and we were soaked and tired, behind us were 35 trees we had remove and large sections of brush cut back. After a quick break we started the ride back to the trail head, arriving at 14:30. The sun came out during the ride back for a short time.

The lakes trail climbs from 6050 feet to 7,719 in three miles, with most of the altitude gain in two sections of steep, rocky switch backs. But the lakes and beauty of the area make it worth the effort.

30. June 2021 · Comments Off on Rapid Creek Trail near Donnelly off of the Paddy Flat Road · Categories: Work Parties and Projects


I hope you had a great father’s day weekend–the weather was amazing.

Tom asked me to send you some photos of our trail clearing activities up on the Rapid Creek Trail near Donnelly off of the Paddy Flat Road. Bart, Tom, Tracy Z and I did some much-needed overhead brushing for the first 5 miles of the trail north of the trailhead on Saturday and Sunday. Most of the trail was cut out but there are at least 3 or 4 short, wooden bridges over boggy spots that are rotting out badly, are uneven, broken, and are already dangerous for horses and hikers. The worst bridges are within the first 2 miles of the TH. We made it into Rapid Lake, Boulder Lake and Anderson Lake. The Rapid and Anderson Lake Trail spurs had some pretty serious logs that still need to be cut out (we did not take a chainsaw on that part of the trail). Trails are threading around those spots.

We also had some time for fun brook trout fishing at several of the lakes and Tracy Z played her new mini banjo one night and there was good food and salmon on the barbie.

We are looking forward to our Kennally Creek trip with you in a few weeks!  Sharie

20. June 2021 · Comments Off on Trail Log: 6-19-2021 – Cuddy Mountain · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Posted: 19 Jun 2021 06:57 PM PDT by Laurie Bryan (The Sage Writer)


  •  Trail: Boundary – E. Pine Creek
     Miles: 10.5
     Riders: Laurie – Rob – Bill – Linda – Brandy
     Horses: Jack – Payette – Tucker – Misty – Moosely -? -?
     Dogs: Poor Hank was not happy hanging out in the trailer.

Notes: I took a break from fence building and joined the SBBCH for a trail cleaning project on Boundary. This area was one of the first projects we did when I joined SBBCH years ago. At that time, we built up a boggy section of trail by pulling out the old boardwalk, hauling in gravel from the creek and creating a drain/culvert for the water to pass without making a huge bog. We were surprised to see it in great shape after all these years.

Much of the trail had already been cleared by another group (presumably a dirt bike group) – We did a little brush clearing and weed pulling. We did remove a few logs while diverting the trail around a dangerous section too close to a burned out log. The roots were burned away leaving treacherous holes…some of which you can’t see until your horse looses a leg in one.

Mother and daughter team: Linda and Brandy – joined us from the Heartland Chapter.

Great day with some old friends I haven’t hung out with in while. Hope to do it again before too long.

SEE MORE PICTURE

10. June 2021 · Comments Off on National Trails Day Project – Peace Creek · Categories: Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

See Pictures from this Event

19. October 2020 · Comments Off on Idaho Fish & Game – Fall Fish Stocking of Back Country Lakes · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

This summer a member of the chapter mentioned that in the past he had participated in packing in fish to a mountain lake and suggested that we might want to contact Fish & Game about getting some of their left over fish fingerlings in the fall after they had finished with their planned stocking.  Calls were made and Malia Galloher 208-305-7822 in McCall agreed to call us if fish were available and we could agree on suitable lakes that could use them.  At the end of September Malia called and said they had some Grayling that they would like to stock in lakes on the south western side of the Frank Church.  The lakes being considered were Pistol and 44 lake near Landmark.

Arctic grayling grow to a maximum recorded length of 76 cm (30 in) and a maximum recorded weight of 3.8 kg (8.4 lb). Of typical thymalline appearance, the Arctic grayling is distinguished from the similar grayling (T. thymallus) by the absence of dorsal and anal spines and by the presence of a larger number of soft rays in these fins. There is a dark midlateral band between the pectoral and pelvic fins, and the flanks may possess a pink iridescence. T. a. arcticus has been recorded as reaching an age of 18 years.

Where are grayling found?
RANGE: Arctic grayling are native to drainages of the Arctic Ocean, Hudson Bay and Northern Pacific Ocean in North America and in Asia. Two distinct populations historically inhabited waters in Michigan and Montana. The distinct population of Arctic grayling in Michigan is now extinct.

The arctic grayling is not native to Idho or Utah, but it has been introduced into several high elevation lakes in the Mountains. The arctic grayling eats primarily invertebrates, including insects, insect larvae, and zooplankton. … Grayling are related to trout and can be caught using familiar techniques.

How do you catch a grayling in a lake?
Arctic grayling can be caught in mountain lakes and streams. Grayling are typically caught with artificial baits including small spinners, lightweight jigs, wet flies and dry flies. They can be easily caught using a spinning rod and spinning reel.

Are Grayling good to eat?
Alaskan Arctic Grayling are a delight to catch as they readily hit dry flies and are a darn good fight for their size. … It is debated that the Alaska grayling is one of the best eating freshwater fish in the world. Their flesh is white and flaky when cooked over an open fire for a tasty shore lunch.

Life cycle
Several life history forms of Arctic grayling occur: fluvial populations that live and spawn in rivers; lacustrine populations that live and spawn in lakes; and potamodromous populations that live in lakes and spawn in tributary streams.

The Arctic grayling occurs primarily in cold waters of mid-sized to large rivers and lakes, returning to rocky streams to breed. The various subspecies are omnivorous. Crustaceans, insects and insect larvae, and fish eggs form the most important food items. Larger specimens of T. arcticus become piscivorous and the immature fish feed on zooplankton and insect larvae.

Spawning takes place in the spring. Adult fish seek shallow areas of rivers with fine, sand substrate and moderate current. Males are territorial and court females by flashing their colourful dorsal fins; the fins are also used to brace receptive females during the vibratory release of milt and roe. The fish are nonguarders: the eggs are left to mix with the substrate. Although the Arctic grayling does not excavate a nest, the highly energetic courtship and mating tends to kick up fine material which covers the zygotes. The zygote is small (approximately 3 mm or 0.1 in in diameter) and the embryo will hatch after two to three weeks. The newly hatched embryo remains in the substrate until all the yolk has been absorbed. They emerge at a length of around 12 to 18 mm (0.5 to 0.7 in), at which time they form shoals at the river margins. The juveniles grow quickly during their first two years of life.

Idaho Fish & Game McCall Hatchery

Species Production – Summer Chinook salmon is the primary species produced at McCall hatchery. A resident species program operates during the summer months, producing small fish for statewide mountain lake stocking, and redistributing catchable size rainbow into local area waters. https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish-identification

The Plan was for Joe Williams with his stock to drive up to the Pistol Lake trail head north east of Landmark on FR – 447 on Thursday October 15, and Rob Adams to meet Fish and Game on Friday the 16 to shuttle the fish to the trail head. Arrangements were made to meet F&G in Cascade on Friday morning at 08:00 at Grandma’s dinner. At 07:50 the F&G truck arrived and eight 3 gallon bags of fish were quickly loaded into coolers in Rob’s truck.  The drive from Cascade to the trail head takes around 90 minutes and when Rob Arrived Joe was just finishing saddling his stock.

A bit of air was removed from each bag and the fish were loaded into some ridged pack boxes and the rest of the loads were hung and within 60 minutes of Rob’s arrival Joe was loaded and heading down the trail for the 7 mile ride into 44 Lake.Joe reported on Sunday, that the fish did well and only a few didn’t hit the lake water and quickly disappeared into its depths.  In a couple of years there should be some good Grayling fishing in this remote mountain lake.

01. October 2020 · Comments Off on Wilson Corral Tr-135 – Boise National Forest · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

The Wilson Corrals Trail passes through open conifer/aspen forests and travels an open ridge to an arm of Wilson Peak before descending to Squaw Creek. The Wilson Corrals Trail starts a 1/2 mile up FS Road 653Q. The trail passes through open forest and onto an open ridge.

The trail follows along the Third Fork of Squaw Creek at first and then turns onto Squaw Creek. The trail crosses this small creek five times, passes a dispersed campsite at 1.0 miles and then breaks into the open before crossing FS 653Q at 1.2 miles. Cross the road and then look for the evident trail.

The trail slowly gains elevation and reaches a small meadow at 2.7 miles. At 3.6 miles, the trail reaches a large open ridge. Part way up the ridge the trail becomes faint, but just look for blazes and rock cairns or follow the trail on the Hiking Project mobile app. The trail then heads down Wilson Peak, traversing a creek at 5.6 miles and comes to a small wet meadow at 6.0 miles. You’ll connect into the West Mountain Trail at mile 6.6.

At times, a lot of cows can be grazing in the area so beware of faint trails when in the open meadows. This trail is currently only cleared every three years by the FS, but the Idaho Youth Conservation Corps and the Back Country Horsemen are working to keep it cut out more often.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/null/recarea/?recid=5081&actid=51

Area/Length : 5.3 Miles Latitude : 44.429579 Longitude : -116.211267

Sunday September 25, 2020 was much to nice a day to not be in the mountains. BNF Trail supervisor Savannah Steele had not been able to ride with Squaw Butte on our Boiling Springs project, so I texted her asking if she wanted to join me in the West Central Mountains for a day ride. Savannah arrived at my place in Sweet around 08:00 and we loaded up three horses and headed to Ola. Savannah had only visited this area of the Boise National forest once when we worked on the Poison Creek trail and was enjoying the drive up and learning more about the area. By 10:00 we were in the saddle and heading up the trail. The lower third of the trail had been worked on this year as their were fresh cut logs and fresh brushing. As we move further up the trail we encountered down trees and areas that needed brushing which we did.

By 14:00 we had reached the upper meadow and stopped for a quick lunch before heading back to the trailer.  Tucker the horse Savannah was riding wanted to share her lunch.  She rewarded him for the great ride with part of her apple.

Looking up towards Wilson Peak.

31. August 2020 · Comments Off on Kennally Creek Trails Projects – Cougar Lakes Trail · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Squaw Butte chapter member Tom Zahradnicek an avid mountain lake fisherman suggested that the chapter tackle clearing the trail to Cougar Lake that over the years has fallen into disuse and was completely choked with brush and downed trees.The trail leaves Kennally creek and climbs a very steep hill side through a series of switch back that were obscured by dense brush. Over two weekend projects, members David Benson, Rob Adams, Sharie Fitzpatrick and Tom Zahradnicek spent a number of hours with nippers and saw clearing the brush off the trail and re-establishing the trail bed. We still have work to do to completely open the trail to the lakes, but the hardest part is open so should finish the project next summer.

 


Cougar Lakes is a lake located just 15 miles from McCall, in Valley County, in the state of Idaho, United States, near Donnely, ID. Whether you’re spinning, fly fishing or bait casting your chances of getting a bite here are good. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to Cougar Lakes. Latitude: 44.8419° or 44° 50′ 30.8″ north Longitude: -114.3183° or 114° 19′ 5.9″ west  Elevation: 2544 metres (8346 feet)

While riding out we met a trail bike with a chain saw mounted on it’s front wheel. We stopped and talked to the rider. He mentioned that his wife was coming up the trail behind him with their pack string of six mules. He said they were going to be setting up a camp near one of the lakes in the area. While he didn’t say, but we think they were a local outfitter setting up a hunting camp after looking at the loads which contained a number of tents and chairs.  What a great idea having someone clear the trail in front of your pack string!   Video

03. August 2020 · Comments Off on USFS Trails – Maintaining the correct trail corridor · Categories: Education, Work Parties and Projects

TRAIL DOCUMENT PACKAGE

PDF

Trails that BCHI Chapter Squaw Butte work on generally fall into Trail Class One, Two or Three! If a proper trail corridor is not maintained a trail class 3 can quickly turn into a class 2 or 1 or dissipate completely.
PDF – USFS Trail Classes
When working on a trail, it is not enough to just cut a path through the down trees, it is very important to cut back the brush and remove small trees that are in the trail corridor so that the trail bed is visible and safe to travel on.

Examples from the Kennally Creek Project

Working on T-099 Kennally Creek Trail which is a class 3 with sections of Class 2

David working on the Cougar Lake trail which is some class 2 but mostly class 1 and in many sections completely brushed over so the trail bed has vanished and could not be followed.


Tom Z and David working on the Needles Trail

19. July 2020 · Comments Off on BNF – Squaw Creek Trail Head – TR-131 North · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Located 30 miles north of Ola, Idaho off forest road 625, the west mountain North trail head provides access to two excellent trails.  TR-131 know both as the West Mountain trail and this end known as the Squaw Creek trail, follows Squaw creek up a canyon of big trees, water falls and rock formations.  This is a technical trail with a number of rocky sections so better left to experienced trail riders.  Poison Creek trail TR-134 is a ridge trail and while there are some steep sections it is not technical and has some amazing views.  The project that six members of the Squaw Butte Chapter was on the first few miles of TR-131, we knew it needed brushing and expected blow down, we found lots of both.

You know you are living in Idaho, when you have to pull over to allow a family and their friends to move stock down a country road.  As this was a day project for most of the group, we parked at the trail head which is up FR 625G and has parking for about 8 trailers with a little planning. Part of the area was wet as the forest service had fixed the water tire and it was overflowing. By ten we were on the trail with Rob towing an extra horse for the forest service guy who was a no-show. 

Tom and Rob handled the chain saws while the rest of the crew brushed. By 14:00 we were bushed and needed a break,. We stopped at a nice spot by the creek and had lunch, this became the turn-around point but we stopped a number of time on the way back to do more brushing. By 17:00 we were back at the trailers and loaded for the trip home.

10. July 2020 · Comments Off on PNF – Twenty Mile Lakes project · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

On Tuesday afternoon July 7th Tom Zahradnicek, Mike & Karen Heilman and Rob Adams meet at the 20 mile creek trail head on the east end of upper Payette lake north east of McCall. The purpose of this project was to work on clearing the down fall on the trail that climbs to five mountain lakes that branches off trail 085. We were joined by Adam Larson from the McCall ranger district. Also working the trail out of this trail head were members of the Montana Conservation Corps that were working on the lower trail for the next 14 days.

Due to covid-19 we planned to not do group food, but Tom had just come back from the coast with a cooler full of fresh dungeness crab which he generously shared with the group, this is ruffing it!

The plan was to meet Adam at the trail head at 08:00 Wednesday with the stock all saddled and packed and be on the trail by 08:30. We all know that this NEVER happens, but on this day it did! While Karen stayed with their dog the four of us headed up the trail. After scouting the lower trail, Mike turned back to get Karen to go on a ride and Tom, Adam and Rob continued to the cut-off for the lakes trail.

The minute we turned on that trail we encountered the first of over 50 downed trees that we removed during the 10 hours we were on the trail

We rode out dead tired but completed the project and had a great time doing it!

Details: Min Alt 5,731  Max Alt 7,716   Miles on the trail 12   Time on the trail 9:48

From: Blake, Jennifer B -FS <jennifer.b.blake@usda.gov>

Squaw Butte members
Thanks so much for the work you and your crew did on the Twenty Mile Trail on the McCall Ranger District. This is a beautiful and high use area and your work will enable hundreds of people to enjoy this area. We certainly could not keep up with all the work without your help.

Thanks, Jenni Blake

21. June 2020 · Comments Off on Trail Project – Hitt Mountain – Payette National Forest · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

Nine members of Squaw Butte met at the Hitt Mountain Trail Head on Saturday morning June 20, 2020. This trail head is about 15 miles south west of Cambridge Idaho on the Idaho side of Hell’s Canyon. The purpose of this project was to do trail maintenance on a number of trails out of this trail head. Some of the members arrived on Friday and took a quick ride and discovered that the Morel’s were up and on this weekend after all the rain, big and plentiful.  So morel hunting became the focus if there were no down trees in the way
How to Safely Identify and Harvest Morels
How to Preserve Morel Mushrooms

The trails we worked are highlighted in yellow.  The total distance of this loop is 11.2 miles with a 4000 foot elevation change.  The highlights of this ride are the great views, wild flowers, stream crossings and the fire lookout!  We remove five trees during our ride and found more morel’s.

21. June 2020 · Comments Off on Trail Project – Peace Creek – Boise National Forest · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

On Thursday, June 18, 2020 Phil Ryan and Rob Adams performed trail maintenance on 5.5 miles of the Peace Creek Trail north of Garden Valley. We remove some brush and five downed trees. This was the first ride in the mountains for Phil’s new horse.

22. May 2020 · Comments Off on Squaw Butte Trail Ratings · Categories: Fun Rides, Work Parties and Projects

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06. January 2020 · Comments Off on SRA – IDPR Grants for 2021- Need support · Categories: Current Events, Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

January 6, 2020

By Kent May – Trails Supervisor Sawtooth National Recreation Area

For 2021 RTP we are replacing two log boardwalks/puncheon, and removing two others on the Livingston Mill trail (pics attached). The two that are removed, will have the stream crossing hardened with rock to prevent erosion. On top of the infrastructure work, we will be doing 90 miles of heavy maintenance to trails in and accessing the White Clouds Wilderness.

  

Replace these

   

Remove these and harden trail

For 2021 ORMV we are building 25’ of puncheon over a perennial stream on Grand Prize motorized single track trail (pic attached). For this grant there will also be a maintenance component of 100 miles of heavy maintenance to motorized trails, paying special attention to the Grand Prize trail to prevent any motorized encroachment into the Boulder Wilderness.

We are looking for support letters for our 2021 IDPR Grants

02. October 2019 · Comments Off on Squaw Creek Trail – TR-131 North · Categories: Fun Rides, Work Parties and Projects

On Saturday September 21, 2019 Squaw Butte members Kathy Luke, Rob Adams, Lisa Griffith, Kelly Wilkerson, Ron Fergie, David Benson, Shelly Duff & Kelly Ragland meet at the camping area along Squaw Creek near the trail head for the Squaw Creek(tr-131) and Poison Creek trails (tr-134).  Some of the members had come up on Friday night others were making this project a day ride.  Squaw Creek TR is 18 miles north of Ola, ID in the West Central mountains.By 10:00 we were saddled and on the trail, it is a short ride from camp to the trail head up the access road to the TH parking area.Bill & Marybeth Conger had been up a couple weeks before so the first few miles had been cleared of downfall, but we stopped and did some brushing were the trail was becoming overgrown.

This trail is rocky with some large slabs of granite, on one we stopped for a snack.

When we reached the point where Bill & Marybeth turned around, we started encountering down fall. We also encountered a group of bow hunters with stock. They were hiding in a bush next to a small clearing and became very unhappy when we pulled up, got out the saws and when to work removing a large tree that was blocking the trail. They left to go hunt elsewhere.

By 16:00 we were back at the trailers, having removed 14 down trees and over 1/4 mile of brush. This trail need a crew to go spend a week, doing a major brushing job and some tread work. All had a great time!

18. September 2019 · Comments Off on 9/12/2013 Middle Fork trail near Boiling springs campground · Categories: Fun Rides, Work Parties and Projects

Posted by Marybeth Conger

Another great ride with Bill Conger and our trusty four legged friends Cherokee, Scout, and Sis on the Middle Fork trail, near Boiling Springs campground, Boise National Forest. The scenery on this beautiful fall day was awesome. Completed some much needed trail clearing too with a chain saw and our mighty muscles. It just doesn’t get much better than this. If you look closely at Bill’s left lip, he is starting to smile.

19. August 2019 · Comments Off on Squaw Butte’s Member Bill Selkirk – Wilderness Volunteer Pack-In · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Link to more pictures
It is a long way from Mattawan, Michigan to Stanley, Idaho but member Bill Selkirk has made that trek a number of year to work on projects with the Squaw Butte chapter. Life long friend of Rob Adams, Bill joined BCHI in 2004, and has participated in both packing support and trail clearing project. The latest is a pack-in support project for the Wilderness Volunteers.Central Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Sawtooth Wilderness are known for the rugged grandeur of their soaring 10,000 foot peaks, flowery mountain meadows, crystal clear lakes, towering alpine forests, and abundant wildlife, including elk, mountain goats, black bear, wolves, wolverines and pikas! Backpacking and hiking are spectacular in this country, and trout fishing is exceptional in backcountry lakes and streams. Our journey will begin at the beautiful Stanley Lake – just a few miles outside of the alluring mountain community of Stanley, Idaho. The area has several accessible hot springs, historic sites and other great places to play in and explore.

Our service project will be trail maintenance in the remarkable Sawtooth Wilderness. We’ll set up a base camp at McGown Lakes at 8505’ elevation after a backpack of 7.9 miles with 1,900′ elevation gain with pack support for tools, food and commissary supplies. Crew will camp at McGown Lakes and hike about a mile to project location on other side of 8,800’ pass. Our project will be to assist the Forest Service to complete trail maintenance of many of the trails out of our basecamp at McGown Lakes. Most of the work will be focused on heavy trail maintenance and tread repair (Iron Creek – Stanley Lake Trail 640) above Sawtooth Lake. Tread will need to be regraded to standard width with hand tools, rocks removed with hand tools and some rock wall constructed. Free time can be spent exploring the ever beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness – relaxing, fishing in alpine lakes, taking pictures, or setting off on a more strenuous hike to the secluded Trail Creek Lakes.

We highly recommend that those coming from low elevation (anything below about 5,000 feet) plan an extra couple days in the area before the trip to acclimate to the elevation for your own safety. Altitude sickness is a concern when traveling from low elevation to high elevation and getting acclimatized before the trip is one of the easiest ways to prevent it. If you need ideas on things to do/see before the trip contact your leaders.Trail Head at Stanley Lake
Elevation: 6,525.59 ft. Lat: 44.255891 Lon: -115.046060

McGown Lake
Elevation: 8,517.06 ft. Lat: 44.178483 Lon: -115.076432

On Saturday August 17, Tom Zahradnicek, David Benson, Bill Selkirk and Rob Adams joined a Wilderness Volunteer seven member crew and Bryce Parker (Sawtooth lead wilderness ranger) at the Stanley Lake overflow area. The WV crew were going to back pack in their personal stuff, while we were packing in tools, kitchen and food. Between us we had seven pack stock and it look like they were going to have light loads.  During the night one of David’s mules got her self tangled in high line and lead rope and ended up on her back with her legs tied up like a calf at a rodeo.  She seems to have suffered no major damage, but in the morning had a very swollen leg and a nice limp so David and his stock needed to head back to Caldwell and not into the mountains.  With five pack stock left, we divided the gear and built loads and by 09:30 were heading up the trail for the 9.8 miles to McGown Lake.

The trail up Stanley creek canyon is a very easy ride for about 2/3 of it length with a number of crossings of the creek for water opportunities for the stock. The last section to the saddle that crosses into the Payette river drainage is a number of switch backs up a steep and rocky wall. At the sign for McGown lake the trail turns into a goat path that climbs over a ridge and down into a basin that contains a number of ponds and small lakes, the largest and most scenic we left the equipment we packed in.At 5 pm we arrived back at the trailers, tired, sore and very satisfied at the days work. Bill will be heading out soon to visit his brother in New Mexico, but he will have some great memories of his day in the Sawtooth mountain visiting an area he had not ridden before. Link to more pictures

24. July 2019 · Comments Off on My First Trail Project – Wilson Corral – West Central Mountains · Categories: Work Parties and Projects

Today, I really enjoyed the opportunity to help clear the Wilson Creek Trail near Ola, Idaho. It’s great to ride and work with a well-organized team and also with a talented and knowledgeable leader like Rob Adams. I had a great time and even at my age and long-time trail experience, I still learned a lot from Rob.

I look forward to the next adventure and wish there was more activities on the calendar I can’t wait to go again.

Thanks again!

Tom Zahradnicek



15. July 2019 · Comments Off on ITA – Alice Lake Packing Support · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

Camping location at the Tin Cup trail headTrail to Alice Lake
July 13 & 14   Alice Lake Pack-In
July 20th   MORE PICTURES & PACK-OUT

02. July 2019 · Comments Off on Yellow Jacket & Tyndall Creek Trails · Categories: Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

On June 22, 2019 members Rob Adams, Janine Townsend, Janelle & Troy Weeks, were joined by Treasure Valley members Justin & Shauna Stucker and BNF northern trail crew members Nikki & Anthony. Anthony had ridden with us at this location in 2018 when we had removed over 50 downed trees, and expected to do the same this time. READ MORE

12. June 2019 · Comments Off on Twenty-Mile Creek Project · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

Join Alice, Phil and Rob on a one day project near Upper Payette Lake.

02. June 2019 · Comments Off on 2019 National Trail Day – Peace Creek · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

SEE MORE

29. November 2018 · Comments Off on BCHI – Chapter Squaw Butte 2018 Miles & Hours · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA, Work Parties and Projects

Spreadsheet is available – Contact Rob Adams

Click on Sheet to see larger View

05. August 2018 · Comments Off on Wilderness Volunteer’s – McGown Lake Project · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

Packing Support Wilderness Volunteers – Sunday August 26, 2018  (Trails Event)
Location: Stanley Basin – Sawtooth Wilderness
CREW PACK-IN is Sunday August 26
Trail 17.4 miles round trip, 2,266 elevation gain
Pack-In Support for Volunteer Trail Crew
Map   Trail Status    Project description  
Location: Stanley Lake trail head to McGown Lake 
Contacts:  Jay Dorr (USFS) &  Zoe Putter (WV)
Project Leader: Rob Adams 208-781-0548

On Saturday August 25th members of Squaw Butte drove to Stanley Lake and set up camp in the overflow area where members of the Wilderness Volunteer trail crew and the USFS wilderness ranger would meet us.Around 3PM a truck stopped at our camp and ask us if we had noticed the smoke plum over McGown Peak? It had become a bit smokier but we had not noticed, but we did now. By 4pm it was snowing ash and the air was becoming very smokey.By 6PM the Wilderness Volunteers had arrived and we discussed the situation over a beer and the concensis was the McGown project needed a plan “B”! A phone call was made to the USFS Dispatch center and they Contacted Jay Dorr who arrived around 7pm. The WV crew had moved their camp to a camp ground NE of Stanley along the Salmon River. Jay agreed that the McGown Lake project was toast for this year and he would talk to the WV crew about working on the Queen’s River trail near Atlanta, ID which would not need pack support.

The Squaw Butte team talked about leaving then or waiting for morning and chose to stay. BUT, by 11:30 pm the smoke had gotten worse and Rob decided to bale, waking up everyone while packing up and loading his stock.

(ROB) If you want to see wild life drive from Stanley Lake to Banks after midnight! Deer (many), Elk (6),Fox (2), Owls (2) and some weasel like animal. Elk were standing in the middle of the road around a blind corner, didn’t hit any, but it caused me to slow down even more from the 40, I was doing going down the hill from Banner summit to Lowman. Smoke made driving conditions fog like.

(Terry) turned into a very interesting night after you left, Jon’s horse tried to kill himself on high line, got back to bed and David decided to load his mules, so it was a short night! We were going to go to Bull Trout Lake, but Jon’s horse was swollen from rope burn so just came home.

Trail we would have used to take the crew into McGown Lake in relationship to the fire on Saturday.

Incident Overview

8-26-2018 Wapiti Fire grows near Grandjean  (VIDEO)

Fire crews continue to battle the Wapiti Fire, located near Grandjean, which is now an estimated 4,000 acres. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will arrive this afternoon.

An area closure is being put in place around the Grandjean area for public and firefighter safety. National Forest System Road 524, which leads from Highway 21 to Grandjean, is closed.

Four cabins and 1 outbuilding have been lost to the fire. No injuries have been reported.

The fire has burned actively throughout the morning. While several spot fires have been found south of the South Fork Payette River, they have all been caught to this point. Firefighters continue to patrol this area to keep the fire north of the river.

Currently there are 7 engines, 3 helicopters, 3 heavy air tankers, 1 handcrew and 1 water tender engaged in fighting the fire. Several more handcrews, along with engines and water tenders, have been ordered.

The fire was first reported at 2:12 p.m. on Aug. 25 and the cause is under investigation. Currently there is no reported percent contained, nor is there an estimated date of full containment.

Cabin owners and those who had to abandon campgrounds during the evacuation as asked to call the Lowman Ranger District (208-259-3361) for information about when it will be possible to gain access to the area.

From: Zoe Purtzer <zpurtzer@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Subject: Re: Wilderness Volunteers-Sawtooth NRA Trip-August 26th-Sept. 1

Hi Rob,
Apologies for delay in response. Work has been busy. We took 3 volunteers up to the big horn Crags and they put in for the rest of the week on a backpacking trip. Darrell and I stayed up there until Thursday, then headed back to Boise to visit friends. When driving through Stanley, we noticed that the Sawtooth Wilderness area was still closed.

We are on the trip as leaders for next year, but we have asked for earlier dates in August. Wilderness Volunteers will arrange the trip dates and release them before Xmas. I’ll keep you in the loop. We wanted different dates, as the booking is slim during holiday times (Labor Day). We can get a full group booked, we can accomplish a considerable amount of work.

I’ll let you know the trip dates or contact Aida at Wilderness Volunteers if you have input for trip dates. I’m not sure who the FS contact will be this year, as Lies & Jay are both retired now.

Aida would know.
aidalicia@wildernessvolunteers.org
Hope you fall season is going well!
Be well and safe travels
Zoe & Darrell

17. July 2018 · Comments Off on ITA-Baker Lake Pack Support (Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness) · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

BCHI Pack Support: Trail 17.4 miles round trip, 2,751 foot elevation gain
Location:   Baker Lake – Little Boulder Creek Trail Head – East Fork Salmon River
Project Discription    Map1    Map2   Map3
Contacts: Jay Dorr (USFS) & Jeff Halligan (ITA)

SEE MORE PICTURES

The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and was designated a wilderness area in 2015. It is situated along the Salmon River adjacent to the Salmon River Mountains in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and to the north of the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness and the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness. The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness is a special area due to its combination of sub-alpine lakes, abundant creeks, hiking trails and the limestone and metamorphic silicates which give the mountain peaks its striking white appearance. There are numerous spectacular mountain peaks includinf Propsect Point, Robinson Bar Peak, Lookout Mountain, Watson Peak, O’Calkens Peak, David O. Lee Peak, Merriam Peak, Castle Peak and Blackman Peak, many of which are over 10,000 feet in elevation. There is incredible fishing in the dozens of clear sub-alpine lakes in the area including the Big Boulder Lakes and Boulder Chain Lakes, The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness is host to many beautiful creeks including Blind Creek, Elk Creek, Warm Springs Creek, Beaver Creek, Germania Creek, Little Boulder Creek, Chamerlain Creek, Bear Lake Creek and many more. The hiking season is short with the alpine wildflowers bringing the area alive with color in the months of July and August. There are fabulous opportunities for viewing the scenery, plants and wildlife in this beautiful and very special wilderness. The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness offers opportunities for recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic purposes. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in any designated wilderness areas. MAP:

History of Mining in the area and how the SRA came to be!     MINE MAP      Baker Lake Claim
On Friday August 10 Jeff and Rob drove up to the Little Bolder trail head to secure camping space for the rest of the BCHI crew, Phil Ryan, Bill Conger, Janelle Week & David Benson. On Saturday Phil, Bill & Janelle drove up. David truck broke down east of Lowman and he had an adventurous weekend getting his stock home and his truck into a repair shop.The drive is around 4 1/2 hours from Horseshoe Bend, all but the last 3 miles on good paved roads.On Saturday Rob and Jeff each packed up three pack stock and took the kitchen and tools up the mountain.    When we got back to the trail head, the rest of the team was setting up. We grilled steak and potatoes for dinner and were in our sleeping bags early as we knew we would have a busy day on Sunday. The ITA volunteer crew started arriving right after we had breakfast and it didn’t take long to pack up their stuff.  The ITA crew received a pre-project briefing while we loaded our stock and got headed up the mountain

      
The BCHI crew made good time up the 8.7 miles and 2571 elevation gain to the camp site at Baker lake and had our stock unloaded and a quick lunch before heading back down the trail.

Back in camp the stock napped in the shade while we enjoyed a cool beverage and shared stories.On Saturday August 18 we will again be riding out of the trail head to pick up the ITA crew. More to Come!

16. July 2018 · Comments Off on ITA – Farley Lake Pack Support (Sawtooth Wilderness) · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects




The blue line is our track from Tin Cup trail head to the crew camp by a waterfall west of Farley Lake.
See More Pictures
Tin Cup Trail head, east of Pettit Lake.Jeff and I arrived on Friday and set up camp at Tin Cup. We then sorted out five loads that we wanted to get up to the trail crew camp on Saturday along with the cook, Mary Jo.We got under way around 09:00 with me towing three pack horses and Jeff towing two and Mary Jo riding. The trail while rocky is in good condition and passes through some very pretty country. Horse and deer flies were a problem, with spray seeming to have minimal effect.The trail crew camp is just short of six miles in with a elevation gain of around 1250 feet.  Wild flowers were at their peak.

We made the ride up 2 1/2 hours and the return in just over 2 hours. On Sunday the crew would be arriving with their stuff at 10:00 and there were still loads that we didn’t get up on Saturday. Phil Ryan arrived Saturday afternoon and would be helping with the packing on Sunday. He brought two pack stock. On Sunday morning Rob packed up three more loads and was on the trail by 08:30. Jeff and Phil meet the trail crew, collected their stuff and were on the trail by 11:00.By 13:30 all the equipment and personal gear was at the trail camp and by 15:00 all the stock and packers were back at Tin Cup and packing up for the trip home.On Saturday July 21 Squaw Butte members Rob Adams, David Benson and Mike Heilman and Treasure Valley member Leah Osborn, joined Jeff Halligan to pack out the ITA trail crew that had been working up at Farley lake.

09. July 2018 · Comments Off on Bull Trout Lake Weekend · Categories: Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

Turn off highway 21, just past Banner summit on a gravel road, look for the Bench Creek camp ground sign.

More Pictures Three trails ridden, fishing, amazing food, and interesting conversations around the camp fire, a totally awesome weekend!

25. June 2018 · Comments Off on Yellow Jacket Trail Head Project · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

Yellow Jacket trail head is south east of Cascade, Idaho. You get there by taking the warm lake road to the west side of the lake and driving south for seven miles on a series of gravel forest service roads. It is a popular area with a number of camping locations, interesting trails and good fishing.  Video    See More Pictures The camp site we used is on the South Fork of the Salmon river and is large enough that multiple groups can use it. There is good access to water for the stock and trees for high-lines.  There is plenty of room for a number of trailers.Ten members of Squaw Butte signed up for this event, Janelle & Troy Weeks, Kelly Ragland, Shelly Duff, David Benson, Charles & Lorraine Chick, Fanny Berki, Shannon Schantz, Nancy Smith
and Rob Adams. Joining us were three members of the Boise National Forest northern trail crew, Hailey Brookins, Tom Shearer and Anthony Snelling. With this large number of people and stock we broke up into three different trail teams. Some explored the trail and roads available from this trail head, while the trail crew tackled the Yellow Jacket trail. This area has experienced multiple fires and has sections with many dead trees that gravity had not toppled yet. This last winter, many of those trees came down.
 
The team encountered down trees the moment they crossed the river and that continued for the three miles of trail that they completed of this seven mile trail on Saturday. We ran out of time and energy, not trees. We cleared around 50 major trees with chainsaws and a lot of brush and smaller ones with hand saws. It is likely there are 50 more in the remaining four miles.

One tree fell dead center on a bridge, it did no damage, but required a number of careful cuts to remove it.


By 16:30 all but the fisherman had returned to the trail head. We were tired, but all had enjoyed their day in this scenic area of the Boise Nation forest. A shady spot was found, cold beer or other beverages were opened and stories of the day swapped. One group had found a large still standing tree that some fool had tried to cut down, but got scared and stopped before he made the final fall cut. The result was a very dangerous tree ready to fall down over the road. They reported it to a fire ranger who was looking to see if any of the lighting strikes from the Friday night thunder storm had started any fires. That tree will be removed first thing this week, likely by blasting. Dinner was excellent and the talk around the camp fire lasted until the last of the alpine glow left the mountains.

More Pictures           Lou Ann’s Directions
June 2, 2018 was National Trails Day and Squaw Butte likes to make this project weekend fun for it’s members and to put our organization in front of the public. The Peace Creek trail head fits both of those requirements.  Working with Charlie Jarvis, the Boise National Forest trails supervisor, we got the camping site reserved for our team and planned a full day of trail clearing and sawyer education.

Thirteen members and seventeen stock meet at the trail head camp, most arriving on Friday night. Camp was set up and stock feed and then an ad-hock dinner was prepared and shared. Even with a nice camp fire, when the sun went down around 21:30 the air turned cold and all wandered off to their warm sleeping bags.  Morning came about 06:30 when the first of us got up and the stock noticed.  Soon they were all asking to be feed and by 07:00 coffee was being sipped around the fire.  Lisa had pre-made breakfast sandwiches which Bill warmed in the oven of his camper.  By 08:30 we were saddling up and when Charlie Jarvis arrived ready for our project safety meeting.


With 13 members plus Charlie and multiple packing stock, we broke up into two teams, one would work the main Peace Creek trail with Charlie and a second would work the lower valley trail that connected to the Devil’s slide trail.

Peace creek trail (blue) Devil’s Slide Trail (red)

Rob, Shelly, Lou Ann, Nancy and Shannon worked the lower trail, while Chick & Lorraine, David, Lisa, Phil, Charlie, Fanny and Jon worked the main trail.  Bill stayed in camp, fished and got some fire wood for our evening fire.

On Rob’s crew, Shelly did all the work while Rob took the role of limb swapper and sounding board as Shelly worked out her plan to tackle each down tree we encountered. Lou Ann helped with limbs and took all the pictures.  Nancy and Shannon arrived late and had a nice ride on the trail we had just cleared.

This tree had a complex bind and was stressed like a big spring, Shelly had to determine how to safely release the tension and then she could cut it up and remove it from the trail.
After 20 trees were removed and six miles of trail cleared, it was time to head back to the trailer for happy hour and munchies. The other team had arrived back just before us. They cleared a bit over 5.5 miles of trail, but didn’t clear as many trees, as a motorcyclist had started working the trail the weekend before. Charlie had wanted to survey general trail conditions and look at a rock slide that will need major work. After a great dinner that included pork tenderloin and moose, beers were drunk and stories swapped. If you didn’t cook, you helped with the dishes.

By 21:30 most of us had wandered off to our sleeping bags for a great nights sleep. Sunday dawned clear and not as cold, a great breakfast of onions, moose, eggs and potatoes, with home-made bread and hot coffee. Some headed for home and some of us took a fun ride before heading for our respective barns. This was a very successful project weekend and all who attended had a great time.

16. January 2018 · Comments Off on Trail Bridge Catalog – USFS/BLM · Categories: Public Lands, Work Parties and Projects

Standard Trail Bridge Drawings and Design Aids

The Forest Service has standard drawings and design aids for the construction of trail bridges. The standard drawings/design aids have been designed and developed in accordance with Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbook directions. The following information is provided FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

All bridge drawings should be approved for each specific bridge by a qualified engineer with trail bridge design experience. Drawings are intended to provide ideas for layout and detailing. No drawing or detail should be used for construction without design review by a qualified engineer. Forest Service bridges must be approved and/or designed by the Forest Service engineer or manager responsible for engineering.

The drawings are not meant to be used as individual sheets and should not be used by themselves. A complete drawing package should be downloaded so that the designer has all the required information for reference. All drawings are in PDF format and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Currently, only four regions within the Forest Service have standard drawings/design aids. These are Northern Rockies Region (R1), R6 Pacific Northwest Region (R6), Eastern Region (R9), and Alaska Region (R10).

There are two different ways to download the standard drawings/design aids.

The first way is to download a complete set of drawings in a single PDF. This method should only be used with a high-speed Internet connection.

The second way is to download each individual drawing in PDF. This method is recommended for dial-up connections.

Additional Trail Bridge Resources

The following resources give additional information on planning, siting, designing, constructing, inspecting and maintaining trail bridges. All of these items should be included in the decision process to select the best structure for aesthetic design, sustainability and longevity.

22. December 2017 · Comments Off on 2017 Squaw Butte Miles & Hours Summary · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

24. September 2017 · Comments Off on Stacy Creek Project – Payette National Forest · Categories: Fun Rides, Work Parties and Projects


Stacy Creek, is in the Payette National Forest, about 20 miles north west of Weiser, off upper Mann Creek Road. On Saturday September 23, 2017 Seven members of Squaw Butte and a ranger named Matt from the Weiser ranger district met at the parking area at the intersection of Mann Creek and Adams Creek roads.

The first order of business was to work on the trail bed of the Mann creek & Stacy creek crossing. This crossing had some large rocks and a drop off that were not horse friendly.  After spending some time considering options, the team determined that the best approach was to move two large rocks and a number of smaller ones, creating a trail up the slope that a horse could easily handle.  With rock bars we were able to move the circled rocks to new locations.  As hunting season was in full swing, traffic on Mann Creek Road was busy, so we moved our rigs to the southern end of the trail to ride, see Map.

The original plan was to park at the gravel pit, but when we got there it looked like an RV park so we continued to the trail head. Parking there was limited due to someone putting their hunting camp in the middle of the parking area, but as we had Ranger Matt with us, we parked our rigs all around his camp. P1 first parking location, P2 second!


The trail starts from this location and follows what appears to be a logging road for a bit over 3.5 miles. This section of trail is very pretty and shaded and made perfect fall riding. Once you are down to creek level, the trail turns single track and follows Stacy Creek north to Mann Creek road. This section of the trail is around 3 miles long.  If you combine the roads a loop could be made, but do it when traffic is light.


Shannon and Nancy put on their Sawyer protective gear and removed some blow down that was blocking the trail, and Rob and Matt cleared about 200 feet of Hawthorn bush.  The thorn of this stuff goes right through leather gloves so handling takes care and cutting it is not high on fun thing to do lists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to our trailers a bit before 16:00, and were on the road for home by 16:45. Members attending were: Nancy Smith, Shannon Schantz, Janelle Weeks, Lisa Griffith, Lynn & Peggy Garner and Rob Adams

04. September 2017 · Comments Off on McGown Peak – Pack Support Project – August 26 – September 2 · Categories: Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

About Wilderness Volunteers:  https://www.wildernessvolunteers.org/about-wv.html

The Project:

Central Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Sawtooth Wilderness are known for the rugged grandeur of their soaring 10,000 foot peaks, flowery mountain meadows, crystal clear lakes, towering alpine forests, and abundant wildlife, including elk, mountain goats, black bear, wolves, wolverines and pikas! Backpacking and hiking are spectacular in this country, and trout fishing is exceptional in backcountry lakes and streams. Our journey will begin at the beautiful Stanley Lake – just a few miles outside of the alluring mountain community of Stanley, Idaho. The area has several accessible hot springs, historic sites and other great places to play in and explore.

Our service project will be heavy trail maintenance in the remarkable Sawtooth Wilderness. We’ll set up a base camp at McGown Lakes at 8505’elevation after a backpack of 6.5 miles with pack support for tools, food and commissary supplies. Crew will camp at McGown Lakes and hike about a mile to project location on other side of 8,800’ pass. Most of the work will be focused on heavy trail maintenance and tread repair (Iron Creek – Stanley Lake Trail 640) above Sawtooth Lake, where the trail has sloughed in and become narrow and hazardous. Tread will need to be regraded to standard width with hand tools, rocks removed with hand tools and some rock wall constructed. If time permits Observation Peak Trail 614 which has not been maintained in several years will need heavy maintenance using a crosscut saw to clear downed trees, digging new trail tread, moving rocks, dirt and vegetation. Free time can be spent exploring the ever beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness – relaxing, fishing in alpine lakes, taking pictures, or setting off on a more strenuous hike to the secluded Trail Creek Lakes.

Additional Information: Crew will hike in about 6.5 miles from Stanley Lake Trailhead, or about the same distance from Iron Creek Trailhead. Pack stock will transport gear from Stanley Lake (6,500’) to the campsite at McGown Lakes (8,505’). This area was burned in 2003 by the Trailhead Fire. Iron Creek Trailhead (6.700’) and trail to Sawtooth Lake are the most heavily used access in the Sawtooth Wilderness, and for good reason – the spectacular alpine scenery is unparalleled! Expect hot temperatures and strenuous work on exposed mountain side with world class views. Water for the full day will need to be packed from camp.

This project is rated as a challenging project.

Challenging+
– Strenuous with longer backpacks, off-trail backpacks, sometimes with significant elevation changes. Also trips with camping and work at elevation, or canoeing with portages. These trips are very challenging and require excellent aerobic conditioning, past experience in outdoor settings and familiarity with backcountry camping. Challenging projects are not for beginners.

We highly recommend that those coming from low elevation (anything below about 5,000 feet) plan an extra couple days in the area before the trip to acclimate to the elevation for your own safety. Altitude sickness is a concern when traveling from low elevation to high elevation and getting acclimatized before the trip is one of the easiest ways to prevent it. If you need ideas on things to do/see before the trip contact your leaders.

Who can Volunteer? https://www.wildernessvolunteers.org/who-can-volunteer.html

WV Leaders for this Project

Aidalicia Swertfeger
is vying for that “life less ordinary” as she attempts to merge her zest for the outdoors with her technical education in communication design. Growing up in the foothills of the Sierras, Aidalicia lived for winters snowboarding in Tahoe, something she misses greatly. Having moved to Austin, Texas to complete her degree, she has realized she needs texture and pitch in her horizon. Planning on a Pacific Northwest relocation, she’ll continue on as a runner, an IPA girl, an avid solo traveler, a thru-hiker and a practitioner of minimalism.

The project trail is indicated by the area circled in red.
The Trail to the camping and work area was from the Iron Creek Trail-head, to Sawtooth’s lakes southern end. This is the second most popular trail in the Sawtooth area and is utilized by hikers, back packers and their pets!

Back Country Horsemen of Idaho – Squaw Butte Chapter volunteered to provide packing support for this project working with the Wilderness Volunteer leaders and the Sawtooth Ranger District.

From: Dorr, Jay -FS
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2017 09:06
To: Zoe Putter ; Rob Adams
Cc: Caitlin Frawley -FS; Dean, Liese -FS
Subject: RE: McGown Peak – Pack Support Project – August 26 – September 2

Stanley Lake drainage is still closed for fire and crew did not finish cutting out trail to McGown from that side.

Plan to go in from Iron Creek and camp at Sawtooth Lake.

I would rather not send pack string up that trail with all of the foot traffic it gets or have crew camp at Sawtooth Lake with all of the other use it gets. There is usually lots of traffic on Labor day weekend.

That is our best alternative with the fire in Stanley Lake drainage. Crew can work on original project. If they finish and have time, they can work around Sawtooth Lake and down North Fork Baron a ways. They can make some repairs in narrow spots along Sawtooth Lake. There are a lot of rock to remove from trail going that way.

If there are not campsites at Iron Creek Campground, there are undeveloped sites back down road.

Horse trailer parking may be difficult when Rob comes back to pack out camp. He may have to park a ways back down road.

I have been away working on other parts of forest and have not had email access until this morning. Caitlin is working on fire for a few days.

Please get word out to crew on change of meeting location and access. Sorry for short notice but fires are never convenient.

Have a great trip,

Jay

BCHI
On Saturday August 26, members Terry & Gail MacDonald, Jon & Dianne Seel, Laurie Bryan, Janelle Weeks, Lisa Griffith, Shelly Duff, Janine Townsend and Rob Adams meet at Stanley lake camp ground to work with the rangers and WV volunteers getting their 130 pounds of tools and their food and kitchen up to the work site at Sawtooth Lake.  Caitlin Frawley was the ranger who would be working along side the WV volunteers and was our contact for this effort.  On Sunday morning Caitlin delivered the tools, food, kitchen and other equipment to our camp site.  We had scouted the Iron Creek trail head and determined we didn’t have suitable parking for all the trailers so choose to take the Alpine Way trail from Stanley lake over to Iron Creek, making the ride to the camp site and back 22 miles.  After getting packed up we started out from Stanley lake and made pretty good time up the steep and little traveled trail.  At mile 6.5 we started encountering downfall and at mile 7 two dangerous creek crossings.  At this point it was getting late and we turned around to give it a try the next day from the Iron Creek Trail-head.

Laurie Bryan August 28

Packing supplies in to a wilderness trail crew at Sawtooth Lake. The first day got a little rough and two of the guys had to bailed on us. Regrouped the next day minus the two. The next day and a different route, five women, 11 horses, 1 mule and Rob made it to the lake without incident. The “G” in Girl Power now stands for “Get ‘er done.”  Laurie took most of the pictures on this project


Janelle, Decaf and Tucker


Laurie Bryan August 28 ·

Shelly rounding “Oh Shit Drop.” I have no idea what’s it’s called – but that’s what I’m calling it. Pictures do not do this section justice – besides – I’m trying to shoot pictures and trust that Jack isn’t going to plumet to our death off these sheer faces. The most wicked trails I’ve been on I think. Absolutely beautiful. I would love to take some of the folks who scoff at “trail horses” for a little hike on these trails. I think their opinion of “just a trail horse” might change.


Janine talking to some of the many trail users we met while packing for this project, with very few exceptions each encounter went well, with the other users very interested in what we were doing and the stock. Lots of pictures of us were taken.

On September 2nd,  Janelle Weeks, Lisa Griffith, Shelly Duff and Rob Adams returned to Sawtooth lake with five pack stock and packed out the crew.

See More Pictures

Movie made by Janelle

08. August 2017 · Comments Off on Yellow Jacket Project · Categories: Around The Campfire, Current Events, Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

Nancy Smith

Yellow Jacket trail,Cascade Idaho,was very smokey but we had a great time and saw lots of wildlife and cut lots of trees . I hope, I got my sawyers certification. We’ll see what the FS says ,,
Yippie. Some very stylish head gear worn by our members
Janelle Weeks

Some work had already been done on the Yellow Jacket Trail, however, we cleared out several downed trees and other trees and brush that will make for safer travel along the trail. It was a warm day w/ a good layer of smoke from nearby fires – which made for sweaty, smoky, dirty days…with great food and conversation from all at the end.  It was a busy weekend in the Boise National Forest; campers, motorcyclists, equine enthusiasts, bicyclists, fishermen, etc. Good to see that our work is enjoyed appropriately.  Also good to see wildlife so prevalent! We had several visits from the resident deer.

See More Pictures   /   Video

03. December 2016 · Comments Off on Wilderness Volunteers Schedule 2017 · Categories: Around The Campfire, Work Parties and Projects

WV

Project Schedule by Date

Click on a project name for more information. The fee for 2017 projects is $299. If you want to be on the waitlist for a project that is currently full, submit an application. We will notify you if space becomes available. If you are still interested in doing the project, payment will be due at that time.  Remember, December registration for Summer/Fall 2017 projects (projects from July to November) is limited to Supporters of Wilderness Volunteers. You can become a Supporter by making a donation to Wilderness Volunteers.

wv2017

 

01. December 2016 · Comments Off on 2016 – Hours & Miles Summary (Squaw Butte Chapter) · Categories: Current Events, Work Parties and Projects

hours-2016
hours-2016-summary

23. August 2016 · Comments Off on Wilson Corral TR135 & Gabe’s Peak TR136 · Categories: Current Events, Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

TR134TR136
Project dates: August 20/21, 2016
National forest: Boise
Ranger District: Emmett
Trail Head Road: FR 653
Trail Miles worked: Completed TR135 / Complete Trail TR 136 (cleared to upper meadow on each trail)

TR135 Down Fall Encountered: 45
TR135 Down Fall Cleared: 45
TR135 Trail Brushed: where needed

TR136 Down Fall Encountered: 15
TR136 Down Fall Cleared: 15
TR136 Trail Brushed: Where needed

Wilson corral pictures
https://goo.gl/photos/KEeALQwoD6QtzE8w9

We encountered a lot of large downfall, much of it up-rooting’s of otherwise healthy trees on the Wilson Corral trail. A number of work arounds are no longer necessary as we reestablished the original trail bed. West mountain is the driest I have ever seen it in the 16 years I have been riding there. Creeks are dry and the grass in the upper meadow is brown.

On Gabe’s Peak trail many of the downfall were from previous years, and had work arounds, we reestablished the original trail bed, unless erosion made the work around a better option. A re-routing of this trail up to the ridge should be considered, with a number of switch backs replacing the 10 to 20 degree climb almost straight up. With the mostly dirt trail bed a lot of erosion is a problem as well as an almost un-hike-able trail.

Squaw Butte Members on the Project
Rob Adams
Lisa & Tom Griffith

Pictures taken on this project

23. August 2016 · Comments Off on Squaw Creek TR131 North & Poison Creek Tr134 · Categories: Current Events, Horse Camping, Work Parties and Projects

Map-Squawcreek
Blue trail Saturday / Red on Sunday

Project dates: August 6/7, 2016
National forest: Boise
Ranger District: Emmett
Trail Head Road: FR 625
Trail Miles worked: 5 TR131 / Complete Trail TR 134

TR131 Down Fall Encountered: 45 (about 2/3 of the trail was worked)
TR131 Down Fall Cleared: 45
TR131 Trail Brushed: First Mile (This trail need a lot of brush removed, it would make a great Boy Scout project)

TR134 Down Fall Encountered: 1
TR134 Down Fall Cleared: 1
TR134 This trail need to be remarked. Game and cattle trails make it very difficult to follow in many places, from the trail head to bridge needs brushing.

Sign at junction for TR131 & TR 134 is missing, just two nails in the tree it was attached to. Unless you know where to turn, you will miss the TR134 turn off.

We re-routed a section of the 131 trail that ran along squaw creek, a very large tree up-rooted right next to the creek and fell a crossed it. The large tree well is now part of the creek bed and with the next high water will completely wash out. See included pictures. We move the trail about 30 foot up the hill side which was protected by a rock and trees. There is a short 25 degree climb from old to new trail, the horses had no problem doing it.

We saw two back packers on TR131, a first, we ran into a number of cows and saw a lot of bear sign, but no wildlife. Huckleberry were very tasty.

We plan to go back to Squaw Creek the weekend of September 10 to complete the upper third of the trail.

Squaw Butte Members on the Project
Rob Adams
Leah Osborn
Travis (last name unknown)
Lisa & Tom Griffith
Shelly Duff
Kelley Ragland
Nancy Smith
Shannon Schantz

Pictures from this Project